Author Archives: Rich & Tracy Y

Civil War Podcast, Episode 60

CONFEDERATE FLAGS

In which we take a quick look at the story behind the famous Confederate battle flag, as well as the history behind the Confederacy’s three national flags.

The Confederacy’s first national flag, the so-called “Stars and Bars” (March, 1861-April, 1863)

South Carolina Secession Flag

St. Andrews Cross Flag (Scotland)

Confederate Battle Flag, also known as the “Southern Cross” (November, 1861)

The Confederacy’s second national flag, the so-called “Stainless Banner” (May, 1863-February, 1865)

The Confederacy’s third national flag (March-April, 1865)

Our book recommendation for this episode is The New York Times’ Disunion: Modern Historians Revisit and Reconsider the Civil War from Lincoln’s Election to the Emancipation Proclamation, edited by Ted Widmer.

“In Disunion, some of the country’s finest historians take us through the first two years of the Civil War. Their lively, readable essays offer striking insights into both Americans’ immediate experiences and the vast social changes unleashed by the conflict.” ~ Eric Foner

Listen to Episode 60: ConfederateFlags

Civil War Podcast, Episode 59

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Eighth)

In which we conclude our discussion of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), looking at the Federal army’s retreat and the failure of the Confederates to pursue, and then we offer some final thoughts on the war’s first major battle.

Our book recommendation for this episode is The Civil War in the East: Struggle, Stalemate, and Victory by Brooks D. Simpson.

“Informative, solidly researched, well-written, and unfailingly interesting, The Civil War in the East will further solidify Brooks Simpson’s place as one of this generation’s outstanding scholars of the Civil War.” ~ Ethan S. Rafuse

Listen to Episode 59: FirstManassasPartEighth

Civil War Podcast, Episode 58

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Seventh)

In which we continue with our discussion of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), looking at the fight for Henry Hill, and then we move over to the action at Chinn Ridge.

Our book recommendation for this episode is Battle at Bull Run: A History of the First Major Campaign of the Civil War by William C. Davis.

Listen to Episode 58: FirstManassasPartSeventh

Civil War Podcast, Episode 57

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Sixth)

In which we continue with our discussion of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), looking at the start of the pivotal fight for Henry Hill. Plus, we see how Stonewall Jackson got his famous nickname.

Our book recommendation for this episode is Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend by James I. Robertson, Jr.

“Few military figures in American history have been more written about than Jackson, but Robertson, through diligent research, uncovers a great deal of fresh material about the general’s public and private life. he shapes that material into an engrossing, detailed narrative that is the indispensable first place to turn for anyone interested in the great Confederate general.” ~ Gary W. Gallagher

Listen to Episode 57: FirstManassasPartSixth

Civil War Podcast, Episode 56

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Fifth)

In which we continue with our discussion of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), looking at how McDowell failed to maintain the initiative after he seized Matthews Hill, and as a result the Confederates had time to forge a defensive line on Henry Hill.

Our book recommendation for this episode is a back issue of Blue & Gray magazine. Blue & Gray, Volume 27 #5 was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas.

Listen to Episode 56: FirstManassasPartFifth

Civil War Podcast, Episode 55

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Fourth)

In which we cover the start of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861)- including the Federals’ flanking march to Sudley Ford and the fight for Matthews Hill.

Our book recommendation for this episode is The First Battle of Manassas: An End to Innocence July 18-21, 1861 by John Hennessy.

Listen to Episode 55: FirstManassasPartFourth

Civil War Podcast, Episode 54

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Third)

In which we cover the affair at Blackburn’s Ford on July 18, 1861. Plus, we look at McDowell’s decision to change his plan and attempt to turn the Confederate left flank.

Our book recommendation for this episode is A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas by Ethan S. Rafuse.

“Well written, judicious, and unfailingly interesting, A Single Grand Victory combines capable battle narrative with a firm grasp of the larger political context. Highly recommended.” ~ Mark Grimsley

Listen to Episode 54: FirstManassasPartThird

Civil War Podcast, Episode 53

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Second)

In which we look at the start of the campaign that culminates with the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861.

Our book recommendation for this episode is Donnybrook: The Battle of Bull Run, 1861 by David Detzer.

“David Detzer is making a distinguished reputation in Civil War history writing about great openings. In Donnybrook, he gives us a marvelous account of the first great battle of the war, at Bull Run. Like his first, this second book is comprehensive, thorough, deeply researched, rich in detail, and highly readable. It is a fine account of a major passage in that great war.” ~ John C. Waugh, author of Reelecting Lincoln

Listen to Episode 53: FirstManassasPartSecond

Civil War Podcast, Episode 52

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the First)

In which we set the stage for the beginning of the campaign that leads to the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1863.

Our book recommendation for this episode is The Maps of First Bull Run: An Atlas of the First Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign, including the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, June-October 1861 by Bradley M. Gottfried.

Listen to Episode 52: FirstManassasPartFirst

Civil War Podcast, Episode 51

GONE FOR A SOLDIER

In which we look at why Northern & Southern men signed up to fight at the beginning of the Civil War.

Our book recommendations for this episode are…

* For Cause & Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War by James M. McPherson.

“For Cause and Comrades adds to Professor James McPherson’s luster as one of our foremost Civil War historians… He takes issue with other scholars who downplay or dismiss the ideological commitments of Civil War soldiers, and argues persuasively that courage, honor, love of liberty and country had powerful meanings in North and South.” ~ William J. Cooper, Jr.

* The Union War by Gary W. Gallagher

“Gallagher recaptures the meaning of Union to the generation that fought for it. He rescues the ‘Cause’ for which they fought from modern historians who maintain that the abolition of slavery was the only achievement of the Civil War that justified all that death and destruction… He makes this point with force and clarity.” ~ James McPherson

* The Confederate War by Gary W. Gallagher

“Starting with meticulous research and proceeding with careful analysis, Gallagher presents a convincing argument that Confederate fortunes collapsed primarily from military defeats rather than from an internal loss of will. This is a must read for anyone seeking a basic explanation of the causes and outcome of the Civil War.” ~ James I. Robertson, Jr.

Listen to Episode 51: GoneForAsoldier